Epidemiology of Achilles Tendon Rupture in South Korea: Claims Data of the National Health Insurance Service from 2009 to 2017

Background@#The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture and its trend has not been studied in Asia. The purpose of this nationwide study was to analyze the trend of incidence and surgical treatment of tendon ruptures in South Korea based on sex, age, and income level of patients, as well as seasonal variation. @*Methods@#A descriptive epidemiologic study was performed based on the data collected retrospectively from the Korea National Health Insurance Service. Data of all outpatients and inpatients were collected from approximately 52 million residents of South Korea, primarily diagnosed with Achilles tendon rupture from 2009 to 2017. @*Results@#A total of 112,350 patients had Achilles tendon rupture, of which 44,248 patients underwent surgical treatment during the study period. The overall, age-specific, and sex-specific incidence of Achilles tendon rupture and surgical treatment showed an increasing trend. Patients in the age group of 41 to 50 years showed the highest increase in incidence. Regarding season, higher incidence was reported during spring and summer, whereas the lowest incidence was found in winter. Higher income level was associated with increased incidence of the condition. @*Conclusions@#The incidence of Achilles tendon rupture and surgical treatments increased rapidly in patients between 41 and 50 years of age. Patients in the higher income quintile groups experienced more Achilles tendon injury than those in lower income groups, and fewer ruptures were observed during winter.

Improvement of the osteogenic potential of ErhBMP-2-/EGCG-coated biphasic calcium phosphate bone substitute: in vitro and in vivo activity

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the enhancement of osteogenic potential of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) bone substitute coated with Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (ErhBMP-2) and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). METHODS: The cell viability, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts was tested with ErhBMP-2-/EGCG solution. Coated BCP surfaces were also investigated. Standardized, 6-mm diameter defects were created bilaterally on the maxillary sinus of 10 male New Zealand white rabbits. After removal of the bony windows and elevation of sinus membranes, ErhBMP-2-/EGCG-coated BCP was applied on one defect in the test group. BCP was applied on the other defect to form the control group. The animals were sacrificed at 4 or 8 weeks after surgery. Histologic and histometric analyses of the augmented graft and surrounding tissue were performed. RESULTS: The 4-week and 8-week test groups showed more new bone (%) than the corresponding control groups (P<0.05). The 8-week test group showed more new bone (%) than the 4-week test group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: ErhBMP-2-/EGCG-coated BCP was effective as a bone graft material, showing enhanced osteogenic potential and minimal side effects in a rabbit sinus augmentation model.

A lateral approach to the maxillary sinus for simultaneous extraction of an ankylosed maxillary molar and sinus graft: a case report

Ankylosed tooth is defined as 'the discontinuance of normal passive tooth eruption without any mechanical barrier'. Ankylosed tooth treatment is a challenge to dental clinicians. In treatment of maxillary molar ankylosis cases there are risks of oro-antral fistula, displacement of root fragments into the maxillary sinus, as well as the necessity for providing additional sinus bone augmentation for future implant placement. In this study, we suggested a new technique using a piezoelectric device and a lateral side approach to the maxillary sinus leading to the simultaneous removal of the ankylosed maxillary molar and sinus grafting for the purpose of implant site development.

Inhibitory Effects of Corni Fructus Extract on Angiogenesis and Adipogenesis

Natural products in Chonnam, Korea were screened via anti-angiogenesis experiments, and 1 candidate product was identified, Corni fructus, which exerted dose-dependent inhibitory effects against angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and cell adhesion. C. fructus extract (CFE) exhibits an angiogenesis inhibitory effect superior to that of the EGCG from green tea leaves. The expression level of angiogenesis and adipogenesis-related signal molecules in the western blotting was reduced by increasing the amount of added CFE. Moreover, a diet supplemented with CFE was deemed more effective in inducing weight loss in LB mice than a representative synthetic diet drug, orlistat, which incidently caused the side effect of denuding the mice of their hair. These results indicate that C. fructus may prove to be a useful anti-adipogenic compound, and these in vitro results may be reflected later under in vivo conditions.